warpstriking | ic contact (melodiesofeternity)

A little while after this.

Noct?

[ He was texting while moving between the houses, and thinking, too, and here he is, checking in on his son. ]

[He's sitting on the couch, head hanging over the back and running his hands down his face when he hears the door open. He's a little mad at himself that he didn't realize he'd accidentally pressed the audio option for responding to that entry.

He'll likely reply to it, for real and on purpose later, but... right now he needs to calm down. Just the thought of that son of a bitch is enough to rile him up. And the voice that calls his name is enough to at least start reeling in those thoughts for now (hopefully without the line snapping).]

...Hey, Dad.

[What a way to start off Father's Day, huh. He sits up, hands dropping to his lap. The iMog's off for now and on the table because he doesn't trust himself to not throw it and, well, break it. He doesn't feel like flying off to get it replaced right now.]

Hey yourself. Are you all right?

[ Soft, but attentive, and he moves to sit near him.

What is this Father's Day you are talking about but also... yup. Family, apparently.

Not that Regis has been brought up to speed about that. ]

I'm fine. [He says far too fast and sharp to be actually fine.

He's almost angry enough that, if they were home, he'd swear he'd hear Leviathan's roar.]

Just... not a name I'd thought I'd see here, 'side for the sea that I could almost swear's named after the b-

[He stops himself, realizing his hands are clenched into fists as he casts his gaze down. Sigh.]

[ Regis stares for a moment. Then settles on the couch as well, and reaches to squeeze Noctis's hand with one of his own. ]

I see that the Chancellor has become even less liked than in my time, and that must be something very spectacular.

[ Because, as far as they can determine, it's Izunia's development that the Nifleheim army started using magitek troopers, and and those are the reason for the defeat of Lucis that sent Regis and his companions rushing back towards Insomnia.

If the rumor that the Wall had been breached were true... ]

Also, when things are truly important, you're allowed to swear in front of me.

[ Not something his Father has really done, but his Mother had thought of it. Not that he'd ever availed himself of that permission more than once, or, perhaps, twice.

But it really seems to him that Noctis needs to vent something out before he explodes. ]

[There's a slight, apologetic wince as he glances away. And yet, he still turns the hand closest to Regis over so his palm's exposed and he can squeeze back.]

...I normally don't, but the wounds are still too fresh.

[Likely always will be, until the end. There's a lot to sort through and as much as he wants to say he's done so already? He remembers the sight of Fenestala Manor burning in the night. That he had to push his own feelings aside because they needed their king and how poorly he did that. He lets out a shaky breath, before he looks his father in the eye. Unsure if Ravus is home, he keeps his voice down.]

There's... a lot. Some of which isn't for me to say. [Not without the permission of the ones most affected by it, like Prompto.] But, things get a lot worse after the Wall's range was pulled back. Most of it's thanks to him.

[ Regis goes very still. His hold of Noctis's hand doesn't loosen, but... for a long moment, he barely breathes.

Then. ]

When my recall from Altissia came, it was... only a rumor. That the battles with the Magitek Troopers, the Wall was eventually breached. So I suppose scaling it down was what Father chose to do about it. [ Will choose. ] But the reports did say that the Magitek were introduced by Izunia.

Where... Where was the Wall scaled down to?

[Good, because Noctis isn't about to let go. Despite wanting to do nothing but keep the truth about his own fate from him as long as possible.]

By the time I was old enough to remember? [He asks, before looking Regis in the eye.] Just outside Insomnia's walls. Before that, I don't know.

[ Regis considers that for a moment, green eyes cloudy, and he nods. ]

The Crystal. All that we were given, it was to protect the Crystal.

[ And Regis knows, from Cor, that he failed at that, in the end. Yet... Noctis never acted as though the Astrals took away his powers, after that. So, perhaps, there was - will be - something else, at play. ]

[Noctis nods once in return, wondering what he should even say.]

The future of our world.

[He considers it a moment longer, before he asks. Because in the end, it'd be better if they were all on the same page. If only to prevent another incident.]

How much have the others told you? [About the future. About himself.]

[ Regis carefully hums, long habit keeping him from huffing. ]

Not much. Ignis asked me if I knew the fate of Insomnia. [ Not in quite those words, but close enough. ] And Cor told me that we did lose the Crystal. Not that it would do Nifleheim much good, of course...

[ He bites the words off, and sighs. ]

Assuming that you don't have to tell me about the parts that... hurt, what is happening, on Eos? Politically.

[ It's not that Regis is callous, or doesn't care. But, in order to keep a clear mind, he's learned that looking at the current situation like a history lesson, detached, can give a better understanding and greater capacity to deal with the situation.

The human cost of it all is the next consideration. But, first, knowing.

Besides, it might be easier on Noctis, to give an idea of the situation like this. ]

[Noctis regards those comments carefully. It's a landmine; even taking it politically and focusing on the facts.]

It didn't, that's for sure. [Alright. Start with home. Then go onto the other regions.]

We were losing the war. Niflheim offered terms of 'peace'... [His eyes narrow as he looks into the distance.] But it was a trick, to get their hands on the Crystal and the Ring.

I wasn't there when Insomnia fell. You send me away to fulfill my part and marry Luna- the Oracle as a symbol of the peace that'll never come. You gave her the Ring to deliver to me.

[Deep breaths, Noct. Remember to look at this from a detached standpoint.]

Those left of the Crownsguard started aiding the Hunters keep the peace in the former territories. My retinue and I were helping out too, before we set sail for Altissia ourselves. [...] At least they remembered your visit, and our alliance.

Gralea is a ghost town. If any of the people remain, they keep themselves locked in their homes... or worse. Emperor Aldercapt and all the senior officials are dead or daemonized. Last I heard on the radio, Lestallum was opening its doors to refugees from all over the world.

[ Regis listens, and he lets his hand squeeze Noct's, because even just the summary is a lot. It's a lot to hear, and it seems even more to talk about.

And the last part. It makes Regis take a sharp breath between his teeth. ]

Gralea? But Emperor Iedolas...

[ Regis knows that Iedolas is a good ruler, beloved by his people. For all the pressure of the war, Nifleheim has loved her Emperor. For it to come to that... Regis blinks, then frowns. ]

Izunia?

[ Unless something else has happened, that is the big change that happened.

And, going by everyone's reactions... educated guess. ]

What is he?

[It's not even the half of it, but all the same... it has to be said. Especially as it's the less painful part. Even then, the cost of human lives... it's something he has to carry with him.

He gently squeezes the hand in his back at the sharp breath that leaves his father.]

He went senile. Most likely because of Ardyn, yeah.

[At that question, though... Noctis freezes. Because the memories are even more fresh now, because of how many times he relived them. Over and over and over again. Those same topaz eyes glistening with malice, the vitriol in those words and the rage burning in his own screams-]

A lot of things. [He says, eyes narrowing into slits as his voice drops low. This is too personal and answering it in a straightforward manner would...] A liar, a jester, a murderer...

[...would...]

... and someone who has to be stopped, if there's to be any hope for our world.

[ Regis nods along with the replies, eyes darkening, then he frowns even more.

(There were things that Father told him, taught him, before Regis left. Things that...)

Regis looks down, then the green eyes, much clearer, much more focused, rise up to look into the blue (Aulea's eyes, or so much like hers...). For a while, he didn't speak, just observed.

Then, quietly. ]

You don't want me to ask closer.

[ No... Regis doesn't know.

But he certainly suspects. ]

[It's a long moment before Noctis can meet Regis' gaze. He nods, but when he speaks...]

It's my last memory of home, finding out who he is. Others ended up seeing it when we went out there to help find you guys.

[And he hates that they did, because it means they know something he's had a hard time telling even those close to him. Like right now.]

Think after having to tell the others, this'd get easier.

[He sighs, finally meeting Regis' gaze. Blue trying to gauge the green he knows so well yet doesn't know his just yet. Like he wants to say more, but when his lips part to do so, he hesitates, His mouth closes and his eyes screw shut as he pointedly looks away.

...

He can't say it.]

[ Regis keeps his breathing carefully controlled. It is - answer enough.

Instead of saying anything, or asking, he just shifts and cranes his neck a little, and presses a soft, warm kiss on Noct's temple, holding his arms loose enough that, should Noctis need it, they can wrap around him easily.

Sometimes, there are no words that can make a difference. ]

[Noct's eyes open at that, stinging a little bit. That light kiss is so familiar. Even after over five years, without the scratchy beard he'd always try to push away because it tickled, he... he remembers.

'Dad.'

He's not sure when his free hand became a fist clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white, or when it loosens to instead reach out to hold him. Only that he hates this. He hates this so much. Having to even hint to his father who he is. What the gods have planned for him. He wanted to avoid it, so they could bond here without this even remotely coming up. But that name being mentioned so casually on the linkshell...]

I'm worried for the others. [Said quietly, barely above a whisper. Any louder and he wouldn't trust his voice, but, they're taking this even harder than he is; Prompto especially. And now, his dad, too.]

[ It's... odd. Regis hasn't held Noct like this (well, aside from the night at the bar). He hasn't held him as a babe, hasn't watched him take his first steps, or heard his first laugh. Regis is just far too young for all of that.

But... The time since he learned he had - will have - a son, the knowledge has been sinking into him. And he cares, he cares about Noctis.

Today, it's making that sentiment felt through to his bones.

Yes. He's not taking it well. But he's not taking it well in different ways than some. It is not about him, after all. It's about Noctis, and he'll do his best to be there for him. What he feels...

The Six never cared about that, anyway, did they. ]

How long have they known?

[ Regis... can give Noctis the privacy of not questioning that. (He has no doubt that it is true. But he suspects that's far from all.) He can try to help where Noctis takes the conversation... and hold him. He has plenty enough strength for that. ]

[He's right. The gods cared not for what mortals thought, he's come to realize. And while he'll happily do what he can for their people... Noctis shakes his head.]

...Only Ignis knew, and he found out just before he was brought here.

[And he hadn't told him. Hadn't said a word. No one had.]

[ Ah, but what would knowing have meant, for Noctis?

Regis always wondered. Why did their family have to deal with the suffering that the magic, and the protection of the Crystal, meant. Watching your parent wither and fade, so fast. Knowing that you bring forth a child who will live through the same pain, if not worse.

And now. This. His child, having to pay the ultimate price without hope, without another day when the sun might hit the waters just so and make everything brighter. Without a chance to look forward to something new, something lovely, something just for him.

Why... ]

Right. And now you're all here with that hanging over your head.

What can I do, Noctis?

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